‘I Love Mohammed’ Banner Row Sparks Nationwide Protests, FIRs, and Debate Over Religious Freedom

By: Sami Ahmad

NEW DELHI: The display of ‘I Love Mohammad’ banners during Barawafat (Eid Milad-un-Nabi) celebrations in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, sparked widespread controversy, leading to protests, FIRs, and arrests across multiple cities of the country. The issue raises critical questions about religious expression, law enforcement, communal harmony, and administrative responses in a diverse society.

The controversy began in Kanpur’s Rawatpur area on September 4, 2025, when a Muslim group displayed an ‘I Love Mohammad’ banner and set up a tent at an allegedly ‘unauthorized’ location during a traditional Barawafat procession. This prompted objections from another community, leading to a dispute.

While police claim to act on procedural violations (e.g., unauthorized tents or processions), the Muslim community perceives these actions as targeting their faith, highlighting a gap in trust.

Shockingly, an FIR was filed on September 10, 2025, under Sections 196 and 299 of the BNS or Bharaty Nyaya Samhita (BNS replaces the Indian Penal Code), alleging promotion of enmity and spreading hatred. The FIR alleged that the Muslim community attempted to start a “new tradition” with the banner and that posters of another community were torn during the procession. The FIR claimed objections from another community, suggesting inter-community tensions over the banner’s placement, though specifics about the opposing group were not detailed.

The Kanpur FIR triggered protests in cities like Lucknow, Unnao, Kashipur (Uttarakhand), Godhra (Gujarat), Mumbai (Maharashtra), and Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh). These protests often involved ‘I Love Mohammad’ banners, leading to further FIRs and arrests for unauthorized processions or clashes with police.

Many Muslims, including political leaders like AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi, and socio-religious leaders like Jamaat-e-Islami Hind vice-president Prof Saleem Engineer view the FIRs as an attack on their constitutional right to religious expression. They argue that expressing love for Prophet Mohammad is a fundamental aspect of their faith, and actions against such expressions are discriminatory. Asaduddin Owaisi posted on X on September 15, tagging Kanpur police: “I Love Mohammad, Kanpur Police, this is not a crime. If it is, I accept any punishment.” He added, “My life is devoted to you, O Rasool.”

In a detailed comment, Prof Saleem said:
“The atmosphere being created in the country right now and the way the agenda of hatred is being pushed forward, particularly the hatred and animosity being fostered against the Muslim community, is having a visible impact. This month of Rabi-ul-Awwal, which marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), is a time when people celebrate Eid Milad-un-Nabi, hold gatherings, and organize various programs. However, if people put up posters saying “I Love Mohammad” or raise slogans expressing their love for the Prophet, it is being treated as a crime, and legal action is being taken against them. The police are harassing such individuals. The videos coming from Gujarat are even more concerning, showing people being targeted and tortured. Those who are raising their voices against such wrongful actions are also facing repercussions. This is a very dangerous trend.

“Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was a messenger of Allah sent for all of humanity, and his message is for the entire world. For Muslims, the personality and character of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) are an integral part of their faith. Expressing love for the Prophet is a fundamental aspect of a Muslim’s belief and devotion. This love is so profound that Muslims are willing to sacrifice everything, even their lives, for it, as it is an essential part of their faith.

“The environment being created in the country is extremely dangerous. Labeling someone’s expression of faith as a crime and taking legal action against them is a result of the agenda of hatred. If these actions are solely by the police, the government should take action against such officers. If these are happening with the consent of state governments, then the central government must fulfill its responsibility. The central government should take action, in accordance with the Constitution, against those carrying out such measures. Our courts should also take cognizance of this matter and ensure that such an atmosphere is not allowed to prevail in the country. If restrictions are placed on people’s expressions of faith, it will create a harmful environment in the country. This is tarnishing the image of our country on the global stage.

“Whatever is being shared on social media today is not limited to our country; it sends a message to the entire world. Our governments and courts must take note of this, refrain from interfering in people’s beliefs, and take action against those who are using this as a means to spread hatred.”

Activists like Nadeem Khan from ‘United Against Hate’ allege selective targeting of Muslims, citing similar cases in Moradabad (e.g., FIRs for praying at home or on rooftops). They claim that complaints about torn banners were ignored, while FIRs were filed against Muslims.

In Lucknow, several women, led by Samajwadi Party leader and daughter of late poet Munawwar Rana, Sumaiya Rana, protested outside Gate No. 4 of the Legislative Assembly with ‘I Love Prophet Mohammad’ banners. BBC Hindi quoted Sumaiya as saying that many youths wanted to join but were stopped by police en route. She stated, “We women reached the Assembly by car and registered our protest, but the police removed us.” Sumaiya claimed several youths were detained for a few hours, though Lucknow police issued no official statement on this.

Sumaiya further alleged, “When inflammatory speeches are made against Muslims, no cases are filed. But when Muslims express their religious sentiments under constitutional rights, FIRs are registered. These are attempts to suppress Muslim religious expression and sentiments, which will not be tolerated.”

In Unnao, a procession was held to protest the Kanpur FIR, leading to another FIR and the arrest of five individuals. Clashes occurred between police and protesters, with videos circulating on social media showing children and women in Unnao’s Gangaghat area holding ‘I Love Mohammad’ banners and raising slogans.

In Unnao, Kashipur, and Mumbai, police cited unauthorized processions as the basis for FIRs and arrests, invoking laws like Section 163 of the BNS in Unnao.

In Bahraich’s Kaiserganj tehsil, a group of youths faced an FIR for submitting a memorandum to the SDM protesting the Kanpur FIR. Faizul Hasan, former AMU student union president, alleged that they held a peaceful march to protest the FIR over the ‘I Love Mohammad’ banner without breaking any laws or raising slogans. Hasan said that an FIR was filed against the protestors later.” Hasan has filed a petition in the Allahabad High Court to quash the FIR, stating, “Muslims love Prophet Mohammad. We are being targeted for expressing our love for our Prophet.”

Authorities, such as Udham Singh Nagar SSP Manikant Mishra and Unnao ASP Akhilesh Singh denied religious bias and emphasized maintaining law and order. They claimed to focus on legal violations like unauthorized gatherings or attacks on police.

Meanwhile, the UP BJP spokesperson Rakesh Tripathi rejected claims of religious bias, stating that actions were based on law violations, not faith. He accused some groups of politicizing the issue to disrupt law and order.

Opposition leaders like Asaduddin Owaisi and Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the FIRs as attempts to suppress Muslim sentiments. Imran Pratapgarhi questioned that if FIRs would be filed against India’s 300 million Muslims for expressing love for the Prophet.
The Muslim community’s claim of religious freedom is rooted in Article 25 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to practice and propagate religion, subject to public order. The police’s emphasis on unauthorized gatherings highlights the balance between free expression and public safety.

Human rights activists say that the police should provide clear, public explanations of FIRs to counter perceptions of bias, emphasizing legal grounds over religious connotations.

On the other hand, UP Minister Dharmpal Singh threatened strict action and emphasized. He used the old rhetoric, like no one will be allowed to play with the law. He also warned that further investigations will lead to more stringent measures.

In Uttarakhand’s Kashipur, a procession with ‘I Love Mohammad’ banners on Sunday evening led to clashes with police. Several arrests were made there while videos showed protesters carrying banners and placards.

Protests over the ‘I Love Mohammad’ controversy also occurred in Godhra, Gujarat, and Mumbai, Maharashtra, leading to FIRs and arrests. In Godhra, 87 people were booked, and 17 arrested following protests and vandalism outside a police station on Friday.

In Mumbai’s Byculla, AIMIM workers and Muslim groups gathered outside Byculla police station in protest, and the detained individual was released after receiving a notice. Muslim organisations alleged the FIR was linked to the ‘I Love Mohammad’ campaign.

Source: India Tomorrow